Could Clemson Test the No. 4 Miami Hurricanes to the Very End?
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MIAMI, Fla. – The No. 4 Miami Hurricanes have dominated the start of the season, 4-0 (ACC 2-0), with an average margin of victory of 42.75, but this weekend’s prime-time clash could be a close test.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney believes the winner of the upcoming matchup will be decided by execution in crunch time.
“This is going to be down to the last-play type of a ball game,” he said. “You want to give yourself a chance. We got good players too.”
The Hurricanes’ offense is currently the third-highest in the Football Bowl Subdivision. When asked about limiting opportunities, Clemson’s defensive coordinator Tom Allen had two points:
– Stop the run
– Affect the quarterback
“It’s not a complicated game,” he said. “It’s not easy, but it’s not complicated.”
The Hurricanes have the 20th-best rushing offense in FBS and one of three ACC programs (Boston College and Virginia Tech) with two running backs each over 200 rushing yards – senior Mark Fletcher Jr. and freshman Javian Mallory. Behind them are sophomore Girard Pringle Jr., junior Jordan Lyle, and redshirt sophomore Chris Wheatley-Humphrey – all of whom can take over on a given game.
Quarterback Darian Mensah has completed 94 of 106 passes (88.7 percent) and thrown for 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns with no interceptions on the season. Although Clemson’s defense will look to make him uncomfortable, the 21-year-old has managed to execute under pressure or when blitzed. In 57 dropbacks, facing either situation, Mensah has completed 44 of 53 passes (83 percent) and thrown for 699 yards and 10 touchdowns.
The only time the Hurricanes have been pushed back this season was the second half against Wake Forest. The offense produced just 75 yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, Wake Forest scored on two unanswered endzone drives before the Hurricanes’ defense responded with a safety and a game-sealing interception by redshirt junior cornerback Ethan O’Connor.
Clemson’s defense has a few standout players, such as junior linebacker Sammy Brown, senior edge rusher Will Heldt, and junior cornerback Ashton Hampton. They will have big roles in an attempt to slow the Hurricanes’ offense, which makes it all the more important for the offensive line to perform at a high level.
Over the last four games, head coach Mario Cristobal has started the same unit:
– Left tackle: Samson Okunlola
– Left guard: Seuseu “SJ” Alofaituli
– Center: Ryan Rodriguez
– Right guard: Max Buchanan
– Right tackle: Matthew McCoy
The Hurricanes showed great flashes when freshman Ben Congdon and redshirt junior Jamal Meriweather were slotted in the interior. If there was a game to make some changes to the offensive line, this could be the one.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. E.T. and will be televised on ESPN.
Anthony Aguirre covers the Miami Hurricanes and Miami Heat for Roundtable Sports. Contact info for tips/info: alexagmu@gmail.com & 305-987-3290 | Follow on Instagram/X: @AnthonyA_Sports
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